Major streamers curate content for women.

Creating playlists around relevant topics has become a trend amongst streaming services. From Hulu’s “Made by Her” feature to HBO Max’s “So She Did” channel, this month viewers can browse sections dedicated to the power of female storytellers. Other entertainment mediums, like the Broadway Podcast Network or music streamers like Spotify, have put together special content as well. Simply watching or listening to this art is a small way to celebrate.

Support female-powered projects.

While watching female-driven content is great, donating to the projects striving to get made is even better. If you’re in a position to, consider scouring crowdfunding hubs like IndieGoGo and Seed&Spark to find a female-powered project in need of support.

Empowering panels.

Producing glitzy events is where Hollywood excels. No matter what the cause, a great way to raise awareness and elicit change is by gathering and rallying together. From inspiring industry panels to networking and mentorship opportunities, Women’s History Month brims with events that put women in the spotlight. Check out some from New York Women in Film & Television!

Nonprofit initiatives that help.

Taking action is the best way to lift up any group. Film Fatales, Geena Davis Institute and Women in Entertainment are three incredible nonprofits currently advocating for women and marginalized genders through new studies, programs and mentorship opportunities. Please consider supporting them or another female-supporting foundation this Women’s History Month and beyond.

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Casting in particular is a field that doesn’t always receive the heaps of praise it deserves. Fortunately, strides have been made with the expansion of casting-specific ceremonies, and the addition of casting categories to some of the world’s buzziest awards shows. The overall awareness and recognition that these events bring to highly skilled casting professionals and their achievements around the world is incredibly important.

Take a look below to see the 2022 casting nominees across ceremonies:

Artios Awards 2022

The Casting Society of America has been bestowing elite casting artists with an “artios” (from the ancient Greek word, meaning “perfectly fitted”) since 1985. The 37th annual ceremony sees eight categories of nominees:

Animation

“Encanto” – Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim (Associate)

“Luca” – Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon, Kate Hansen-Birnbaum (Associate)

“The Mitchells vs. the Machines” – Tamara Hunter

“Raya and the Last Dragon” – Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim (Associate)

“Vivo” – Tamara Hunter

Big Budget – Comedy

“Cruella” – Mary Vernieu, Lucy Bevan, Bret Howe (Associate), Emily Brockmann (Associate), Olivia Grant (Associate)

“Don’t Look Up” – Francine Maisler, Kathy Driscoll-Mohler (Additional Casting), Carolyn Pickman (Location Casting), Matt Bouldry (Location Casting), Kyle Crand (Location Casting), Molly Rose (Associate)

“The French Dispatch” – Douglas Aibel, Matthew Glasner (Associate)

“In the Heights” – Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield, Kristian Charbonier (Associate)

“Shang-chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” – Sarah Halley Finn, Amanda Mitchell (Location Casting), Poping Auyeung (Location Casting), Molly Doyle (Associate)

Big Budget – Drama

“House of Gucci” – Kate Rhodes-James

“King Richard” – Rich Delia, Avy Kaufman, Adam Richards (Associate), Scotty Anderson (Associate)

“The Power of the Dog “- Nikki Barrett, Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold, Martin Ware (Associate)

“Tick, Tick…BOOM!” – Bernard Telsey, Kristian Charbonier

“West Side Story” – Cindy Tolan, Nicholas Petrovich (Associate)

Studio or Independent – Comedy

“Best Sellers” – Pam Dixon, Andrea Kenyon, Randi Wells

“The Tender Bar” – Rachel Tenner, Bess Fifer (Location Casting), Carolyn Pickman (Location Casting), Rick Messina (Associate)

“This Game’s Called Murder” – Meg Morman, Sunday Boling

“Zola” – Kim Taylor-Coleman

Studio or Independent – Drama

“Belfast” – Lucy Bevan, Emily Brockmann, Carla Stronge (Location Casting)

“Coda”- Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood, Lisa Zagoria, Angela Peri (Location Casting), Lisa Lobel (Location Casting), Melissa Morris (Associate)

“The Lost Daughter” – Kahleen Crawford

“Passing” – Laura Rosenthal, Kimberly Ostroy

“The Hand Of God “– Annamaria Sambucco

Low Budget – Comedy or Drama

“Blue Bayou” – Marisol Roncali, Chelsea Ellis Bloch, Matthew Morgan (Location Casting)

“The Humans” – Ellen Chenoweth, Susanne Scheel (Associate)

“The Novice” – Matthew Lessall, Nicole Hilliard-Forde

“Together Together “- Richard Hicks, Leslie Wasserman

“Violet” – Orly Sitowitz, Stacey Pianko

“We Broke Up” – Amanda Lenker Doyle, Chrissy Fiorilli-Ellington

Micro Budget – Comedy or Drama

“Dramarama” – Meg Morman, Sunday Boling

“The Outside Story” – Stephanie Holbrook

“Shiva Baby” – Kate Geller

“The Subject”– Destiny Lilly

“Swan Song”– Eve Battaglia, Lina Todd, Angela Boehm (Location Casting)

The Zeitgeist Award

“The Matrix Resurrections” – Carmen Cuba, Simone Bäer (Location Casting),
Charley Medigovich (Associate)

“The Tomorrow War” – Deborah Aquila, Tricia Wood, Meagan Lewis (Location Casting), Rebecca Carfagna (Associate)

“Venom: Let There be Carnage” – Lucy Bevan, Nina Henninger (Location Casting),
Emily Brockmann (Associate), Sarah Kliban (Associate)

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” – Sarah Halley Finn, Chase Paris (Location Casting),
Tara Feldstein Bennett (Location Casting), Molly Doyle (Associate)

BAFTA Awards: Best Casting

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts became one of the first major ceremonies to have a casting category in 2020 (its first new category since 1999). Aiming to promote a better understanding of casting, the third ever installment of the category has added an extra nominee this year: 

“Boiling Point” – Carolyn McLeod

“Dune” – Francine Maisler

“The Hand of God” – Massimo Appolloni, Annamaria Sambucco

“King Richard” – Rich Delia, Avy Kaufman

“West Side Story” – Cindy Tolan

Casting Director Guild Awards 2022

The fourth annual Casting Director Guild Awards took place on February 22, 2022 in London. The UK organization honored casting teams across theatre, film, television and commercials, naming casting directors like Anna Cooper (“Constellations”) and David Grindrof (“Back to the Future: The Musical”) winners. Find the complete list of winners here.

Take note, Oscars. Casting categories are the way of the future.

Related articles:
Get to Know the Casting Director: Wendy O’Brien
Get to Know the Casting Director: Sherry Thomas
Get to Know the Casting Director: Jason Harris
Get to Know the Casting Director: Luis Canete
Get to Know the Casting Director: Megan Foley Marra

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The post Excellence in Casting 2022: See All the Nominees! appeared first on Casting Networks.

1. Learn about Black history through the arts.

Educate yourself on Black History in your preferred learning style. If you’re auditory, listen to a podcast like Black History Year. If you’re a visual learner, find documentaries or films on a topic underneath the BHM umbrella. There are countless ways to expand your mind on the subject through artistic efforts.

2. Support Black business owners.

Black-owned businesses are amplified in the media this time of year, making it easier than ever to find and support them. Relating to the entertainment industry, consider donating to a Black creator’s film fundraising campaign or purchasing a painting from a Black artist on Etsy. If your budget is tight, simply spreading the word about Black businesses on social media or to friends is a lovely way to engage.

3. Read books by Black authors.

Literature is one of the most wonderful avenues to honoring Black voices and stories all year long. Your local bookstore hopefully has a Black History Month section you can browse (and if they do not, perhaps ask the manager why). If you’re more of an online shopper, check out this comprehensive list from Oprah Daily. I recommend starting with Octavia E. Butler’s “Kindred,” which is currently being adapted for the small screen.

4. Watch Black-centered TV shows and films.

One of the most fun routes for people in the entertainment industry to celebrate this month is by doing our next favorite thing to making art—watching art! Most major streaming platforms from Netflix to HBO Max have curated libraries dedicated to Black stories. While watching films that chronicle the realities of racism is important, it is equally vital to celebrate Black joy. And 2022 sees plenty of TV shows and movies that do just that.

5. Support Black organizations.

The best way to support any community is through giving. Depending on your status, consider giving your time as a volunteer, making a monetary donation, or both. Since we’re celebrating this month through the lens of the entertainment business, consider supporting an organization centered there. On a nationwide scale, Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, as well as the NAACP are wonderful options. Of course, it’s always optimal to lift up your local organizations. From film festivals to local chapters of major charities, do your due diligence.

Related articles:
8 Black Trailblazers Shaping the Industry Behind the Scenes
Director Curtis Taylor Jr. on the Importance of Telling Black Stories
Nondumiso Tembe on Her Experience as a Black Actor in Hollywood
28 Activities for Every Day This Month
First-Time Nominee Spotlight: Daniel Kaluuya

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Kate Lumpkin, CSA, is an NYC-based casting director who founded Kate Lumpkin Casting. She has worked on over 40 TV/Film productions and 80 theatrical productions in New York City and across the U.S., including shows at The Kennedy Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The A.R.T, NYTW and many others. Most recently, Kate cast the Broadway national tour of “Bandstand.” 

Lumpkin not only curates casts for stories, but communities for artists hustling to realize their dreams. She is a respected teacher, leading workshops in New York and at numerous colleges and universities throughout the country. In addition, she is a private coach to clients around the world, guiding them with an all-encompassing method akin to a creative director. When she is not working, Kate is a passionate activist and leader on social media, inspiring her crowd of followers to practice wellness and make the world a better place.

Read on as we chat with Lumpkin about transforming social media into an actor’s safe haven and much more.

On creating her own casting company:

“Honestly, it was a really simple decision. I wanted to feel like I had agency over the way I talked about the process and this industry. And the only examples that I had seen of people being able to speak truths about our industry, were from people who did not feel like they represented someone else’s business. Often, the only ways that I saw women in positions of power, were when they started their own companies. I wanted to provide accessibility in this industry and to create a space where people felt empowered to walk into an audition room. I knew in my brain that if I wanted to do that, I needed to start from the ground up and without the restrictions of someone else’s brand.”

Her best advice for breaking into casting:

“My biggest piece of advice for anyone trying to become a casting professional is to hone in on your point of view as an individual. What are you interested in? What do you want to fight for? Why are you doing this work? If you have a very strong point of view and you are willing to make sacrifices for it and to fight for it, people will listen and people will show up to work with you. You have power. You have agency. Give yourself permission to say yes, set boundaries, and to stand up for yourself.”

How Kate kept us inspired during the pandemic:

If we had a social media award, we would emboss Kate Lumpkin’s name on it. From her Instagram Live Q&A chats, to creating the “NoMarking Society,” to encouraging wellness and growth during pandemic times, the casting director constantly makes herself available for entertainment professionals and strives to demystify the process as much as possible. “I think there is so much information that has been kept secret for so long in order to keep people in positions of power,” she told us. “There is a mystique about the world of casting that doesn’t need to be quite so hidden.” 

“So, I think one of the best ways to create equity in this very inequitable playing field, is to provide free educational resources for folks who are interested in the process,” she continued. “There is absolutely no reason that people should not feel prepared when they walk into an audition space. And yet, so much of that information is hidden behind paywalls and power structures that do not need to be reinforced. So, I made it a mission to utilize free tools that people have access to in order to create spaces where information is shared freely.”

In addition to providing a plethora of digital resources, Lumpkin offers one-on-one coaching to assist creatives in meeting their goals. She’s also been a fierce advocate for underrepresented groups in these trying times, making sure it’s known that there’s a seat at the table for everyone.

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Karlee Fomalont, CSA, is a 2-time Artios Award Nominee and graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where her acting training made for a seamless transition into casting. She began her career at CBS Primetime NY and ABC Primetime NY, then started working independently on projects such as Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix series “The Get Down,” Steven Spielberg’s “The Post” and Tamara Jenkins’ “Private Life” (both for which the casting team was nominated for an Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Casting). Karlee has worked with Rori Bergman for over 6 years, with credits including “Yearly Departed” (Amazon), “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” (Starz), “Run the World” (Starz), “Living With Yourself” (Netflix), “Love Life” (Netflix) and “The Good Cop” (Netflix). Film credits include J. Blakeson’s “I Care a Lot,” Charlie Kaufman’s “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” Nicole Holofcener’s “The Land of Steady Habits,” among many others. Karlee also casts short films and features independently, including Amazon Studios’ feature film “I’m Your Woman” starring and produced by Rachel Brosnahan. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, and currently resides in New York City.

Read on as the NYC-based talent shares her journey and wisdom.

On breaking into casting:

“While I was a senior at NYU Tisch Drama, Michal Zecher (then a CD, now a manager) helped me get an internship at CBS Primetime Casting for pilot season. I was interested in breaking into the business side of the industry in a position where I could put my acting training to use. Until I met Michal, I had no idea casting was even a job I could have! That internship got me hooked. From there I freelanced as a Casting Assistant, meeting a series of wonderful mentors along the way, eventually leading me to Rori Bergman. She took a chance on me to work with her on The Get Down, Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix series. Six years later I’m still with Rori, and feel so lucky to have found a casting ‘home’ where I get to work on creatively fulfilling, high-level, projects with creatives who were some of the people that made me want to get into the business in the first place.”

Her advice for those looking to start a career in casting:

“Come to the dark side! There are so many free and accessible ways to learn these days. You can listen in on Clubhouse chats, watch Zoom talkbacks, and IG Live Q&As about the business. Even if they’re intended for actors, you can learn a ton as a casting professional through those. CSA is also working very hard on their training and education program, and just launched their inaugural mentorship program.”

“The other advice I’d give is to start developing your own sensibility, taste, and an eye for great performances. Watch a ton of movies, new TV shows, see theater, stay up to date on as much current content as possible. Look up the actors you love from those projects and look up who casts them. Familiarize yourself with agents and agencies. It’s amazing how much you can learn from trolling on IMDbPro and reading Deadline every day. Having a reference point for actors, agencies, and how they play into the current market is a skillset that takes work to develop. Casting really is a craft.”

How Karlee has kept us inspired during the pandemic:

The CSA member has been volunteering her time to both teach actors and give back to the community. “Giving back is super important to me, especially this year while we’re all searching for connection and community,” she told us. “As an actor, I was terrified of Casting Directors. They felt untouchable and scary, like the Illuminati. I want to turn that narrative around and share all of the valuable things I’ve learned from the other side of the table. We’re not inaccessible, we are allies in the process, and I want to help actors feel supported and really understand that dynamic.”

“A perk of pandemic times is that access has really increased, between podcasts, Clubhouse rooms, IG Live chats and Q&As, so there’s a ton of free panels and discussions at actors’ fingertips,” she adds. “I really love demystifying the casting process in fun, accessible ways. I also love participating in CSA’s community outreach programs, such as Meals for Monologues and open calls for underrepresented communities as a way to meet new actors.”

Fomalont continued her charity work this year as well. “I organize Team Casting every year for Covenant House NY’s Stage & Screen Sleepout to raise money for young people experiencing homelessness,” she said. “Last year we raised over $20,000! So there are a lot of ways to give back and stay involved, and represent all of the good our community stands for.”

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Eklund began her career on the other side of the table. She performed in countless off-Broadway theaters in New York City, primarily as an ensemble member of the Irondale Ensemble Project, and earned her Equity card. After a transition and dabbling as a skydiver in upstate New York, she found herself as the casting coordinator at Vassar College. Flash forward—Eklund is now the owner of the beloved Hudson Valley Casting. Through her company, she has served as the casting director for numerous independent films and other commercial projects, recently including work on Netflix’s “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” and the upcoming film, “The Hating Game.”

Calling upon her own experience as an auditioner, Eklund treats every actor that comes in with a knowing kindness. The Hudson Valley talent continues to be a beacon of light in the entertainment industry, championing artists and uplighting everyone around her along the way. Eklund was kind enough to speak to us about getting started in the business, her best advice and more.

On her early start in casting: 

“I broke into casting while working at Vassar College. As an actor, I was bothered by the casting in the student projects. The students didn’t have access to appropriate talent. I asked if it would be welcomed for me to organize a casting call. The late Ken Robinson, who was on faculty for filmmaking and screenwriting classes, saw this as an excellent opportunity for the department. After a year, we started working with SAG-AFTRA talent and really saw an improvement in the quality of the projects. At this time, Vassar began entering projects into festivals and had great success. I cast student films at Vassar from 2005 until 2019 (even after I had moved on from my assistant position). I became known as a casting expert in the Hudson Valley region, and branded Hudson Valley Casting/Heidi Eklund Casting. Amy Hutchings and I work together and have since 2013, but we are each our own casting company.”

Her best advice for breaking into casting:

“For anyone trying to break into casting, I suggest knowing who everyone is in all aspects of the industry, especially actors — get your industry publication subscriptions and read. Watch all the shows that are trending, get on IMDb and look up people — find out what they are doing, look at an actor’s social media and find out what they are up to and where they are based.”

“To get that first job, try starting in background casting on a SAG-AFTRA feature so you can learn all the legal aspects of casting from labor law to SAG-AFTRA rules. There is much to learn, and I recommend learning under someone who knows the ropes. I take on interns who desire to learn casting and have about 1-4 interns per semester for college credit.”

How Heidi kept us inspired during the pandemic:

The kind-hearted casting professional united women and leapt into action at the top of the pandemic. “When the shutdown happened and our country was struggling to cover the faces of the healthcare workers, I was on fire inside!” she told us. “I wanted to help, and I knew I could sew, so I started to reach out to friends on Facebook and a group of truly amazing women assembled to create Sew Masks Hudson Valley. I must mention them all: Laura Dowling Shea, Sunny Edelman, Kristen Anne Ferraro, Kim Elizabeth Kiernan and Maureen Constable.”

“We had such an outpouring of people who just wanted to help, and the six of us organized getting fabric and supplies to the sewists and then finished masks to send to hospitals and groups who needed them,” she continued. “We were able to create and administer over 1,000 masks during the crisis, and further donated our supplies to Croton Face Masks Makers when the PPE finally came for healthcare workers and the public and the urgency had subsided.”

Eklund is also a founding board member of Upstate NY Women in Film & Television (UPWIFT) and continues to assist the women-based nonprofit. “I was inspired to have the opportunity to create a place in our growing film community that focused on the amazing women who work tirelessly to move forward in this still very male-oriented industry.”

Above all, Eklund reminds us that “Humans are good,” saying, “This is always something to keep in your mind and in your heart.” She loves helping others, which is why the creative process of casting appeals to her. The creative has also studied yoga and shatsu, and is now training to be a well-being coach through Anthropedia.

_________________________

Robert Peterpaul is a writer and actor who can be seen in James Franco’s film “King Cobra,” T-Mobile ad campaigns, and Amazon Prime’s “New Dogs, Old Tricks.” Other career highlights include working on NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “America’s Got Talent,” BUILD Series, writing for HuffPost, and his family’s nonprofit, the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation, which aims to end pediatric cancer. Robert currently serves as the weekend editor for HOLA! USA. He’s studied at the Barrow Group, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCB and earned a B.A. from Marist College (go, Red Foxes!). Robert thanks you for reading and hopes you’ll follow your bliss! www.robertpeterpaul.com

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Leah Daniels-Butler got her start as a casting assistant in 1991, and has been blazing trails in entertainment ever since. From there, the award-winning casting director dove into work on countless high-profile television and film projects, launching actors like “Precious” breakout Gabourey Sidibe into stardom along the way. Daniels-Butler was previously appointed to the Casting Society of America board, where she co-created the Equity in Entertainment committee to focus on amplifying under-represented actors and empowering authenticity in casting.

A few recent highlights of her incredible career include casting the hit FOX series “Empire,” “Coming 2 America” and this year’s Oscar-nominated film “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Daniels-Butler was kind enough to speak with us about how she got her start, and the incredible initiative she formed during the pandemic that’s kept us all inspired.

On the women who gave her wings to fly in casting:

“I was introduced to casting by Kimberly Hardin and Jaki Brown. These women took me under their wings and allowed me the opportunity to learn from them. I soaked up everything I could like a sponge. I am forever grateful to them, for seeing in me what I couldn’t see in myself at the time. I stand on their shoulders.”

Her best advice for breaking into casting:

“You have to have a love for actors first and foremost. You have to watch as much programming as you can—television and movies—attend showcases, and learn as much about talent as possible. Not just known talent, but up-and-coming talent, as well. Understand you will put in long hours (likely for little money) in the beginning, but it is just like anything else—if you work hard and have patience, it will pay off in the end. Also, be prepared for not necessarily getting the accolades for finding talent, when you make a discovery or introduce new talent to the industry. Casting directors, in my opinion, are the most under-appreciated department heads on a production. We change people’s lives, and oftentimes it goes unnoticed. However, we do it for the love of bringing these words and characters to life, and for no other reason.”

How Leah kept us inspired during the pandemic:

As the pandemic shut down the world, Daniels-Butler decided to create the Quarantine Monologue Challenge. She candidly revealed that it stemmed out of boredom and wanting to use the time off constructively—a relatable feeling for most artists out of work and self-isolating at home. “I figured if this were a normal hiatus, I would be taking general meetings with actors, so why not curate a platform where I can meet actors during this time of crisis? I am so glad that I did, because I met actors I know I would have never met had it not been for the pandemic and QMC.”

She added, “So, after it’s all said and done, the pandemic was bittersweet, if you will, almost like a gift and a curse. A gift, in a way that I was able to meet new amazing talent that I call in for auditions, and a curse…for obvious reasons.” 

Another reason to celebrate Leah Daniels-Butler is her dedication to shaping the futures of real women in her community who need a second chance. She serves on the board of A New Way of Life ReEntry Project, which provides housing and support to formerly incarcerated women in South Central Los Angeles.

_________________________

Robert Peterpaul is a writer and actor who can be seen in James Franco’s film “King Cobra,” T-Mobile ad campaigns, and Amazon Prime’s “New Dogs, Old Tricks.” Other career highlights include working on NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “America’s Got Talent,” BUILD Series, writing for HuffPost, and his family’s nonprofit, the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation, which aims to end pediatric cancer. Robert currently serves as the weekend editor for HOLA! USA and writes for publications like Backstage. He’s studied at the Barrow Group, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCB and earned a B.A. from Marist College (go, Red Foxes!). Robert thanks you for reading and hopes you’ll follow your bliss! www.robertpeterpaul.com

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This Black History Month, we’re honored to highlight eight creatives who are shaping the business for the better from behind the scenes. These prolific talents are changemakers, leading by example as they strive to create an industry that truly reflects the world we live in.

ERICA A. HART, CSA

Casting Professional/ Producer

Erica Hart has been casting for over ten years. The NYU graduate launched into the business with a high-profile bang, starting out in the network and studio space. She worked her way up to casting coordinator in the NYC office of ABC Primetime Casting, and since then has put her Midas touch on nearly every genre, including commercials for major brands like Maybelline, Gillette and Hasbro, working on series like “Ray Donovan,” “The Bold Type,” “Defending Jacob” and “Godfather of Harlem,” as well as collaborating with The National Black Theatre.

“My favorite part of being a casting director is working with actors, of course,” Erica shares with Casting Networks®. She strives to make auditioners “feel comfortable and confident so they can do their best work.” The powerhouse puts her passion where her mouth is, often donating her time to lead workshops on audition preparation for actors. 

Erica also makes it a priority to discuss representation in the business. “I always tell people that it’s important to have diversity in front of the camera, but you must also have it behind the camera,” she says. “Without that, there is no authenticity. Everywhere on set should look like the world we live in. Actors, directors, writers, casting directors, costume designers, makeup artists, gaffers, electricians… the list goes on and on. But remember, it’s not enough just to have one.”

Most recently, Erica landed the gig of casting director for HBO MAX’s “Untitled Michael Che Project.” She was also nominated for an Artios Award for her work on “The Surrogate,” a film she both cast and produced.

BLITZ BAZAWULE

Filmmaker

While the world shut down, Blitz Bazawule’s career lived its best life. The talent helmed Beyoncé’s “Black is King” for Disney+, flaunting his unique skills to Queen Bey fans around the globe (her fans are earth’s population, let’s be real). Before Bey, Blitz conjured up attention with “The Burial of Kojo,” a microbudget film set in Ghana, which was distributed by Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY on Netflix. The major platform gave Blitz the audience his work beckons for, and cemented his status as a sought-after director. 

As of late, the filmmaker’s debut novel “The Scent of Burnt Flowers” was acquired by Ballantine Books of Penguin Random House, and will debut in 2022. Never fear — he’s still got lots of film projects cookin’ as well, like directing the highly anticipated musical adaption of “The Color Purple” for Warner Bros. under producers Steven Speilberg, Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey and Alice Walker, herself. 

DAWN PORTER 

Filmmaker

Award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter weaves her strong advocacy for mental health and social justice into everything she does. The storyteller has had quite the year, directing and producing two critically acclaimed documentaries, including a multi-part docuseries for Apple TV+ alongside Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry, which is on the docket for 2021.

Dawn’s recent documentaries glow with acclaim. She directed and produced “The Way I See It,” which dives into the Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama presidencies from the lens of official White House photographer Pete Souza. Laura Dern also notably served as a producer. Dawn’s “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” the story of the congressman and civil rights icon, also connected with viewers and is currently Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

“One of the things I adore about being a documentary filmmaker is that I get to work through my own questions and emotions in my work,” she told 3CR.

DATARI TURNER

Producer/ Executive Producer/ Writer

Datari Turner is one of the busiest independent producers in Tinseltown. He has produced close to 30 feature films, including Netflix’s “Uncorked.” Datari is also behind the hit TV franchise “Growing Up Hip-Hop,” which mirrors many experiences from his upbringing. He recently teamed up with friend and actor Jamie Foxx to form a production company, and the pair inked an impressive overall deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“I love stories, but at the same I want to make an impact,” Turner told the LA Times. “It’s very simple; things are never going to change until we have Black people in positions to greenlight movies.” He added, “The only way to change things is to change them at the root, and we’re creating a pipeline of people of color to be able to rise up the ranks.”

Datari does just that, honorably dedicating his time to creating change. Over the years, he has taught young filmmakers at entertainment hubs like Sundance and USC. He has also served on the board of Blackhouse Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at amplifying Black creatives and executives in the industry. 

DEBRA MARTIN CHASE

Producer/ President and CEO of Martin Chase Productions

Debra Martin Chase has been improving the entertainment landscape for over forty years. Her groundbreaking accomplishments include being the first Black woman to produce a film that grossed over $100 million (“Courage Under Fire” in 1996) and sign a deal with a major studio. 

You’ll find the president and  CEO of Martin Chase Productions making headlines once again this year. Her “Equalizer” reboot, led by the incomparable Queen Latifah, debuted after the Super Bowl on CBS with over 20 million viewers. The weekend after, her beloved made-for-TV “Cinderella” twirled onto Disney+, reminding the world that she’s been bringing her prowess to the business for some time. 

Now, she’s busier than ever, recently telling The Hollywood Reporter: “I probably have about 20 projects in the works, film and TV, right now. And listen, I can remember castings and having my pick of the African American actors—because, sadly, nobody was working. That is definitely not the case now, and I’m thrilled.”

DENIESE DAVIS

Producer/ Reform Media Group

Deniese Davis is on a mission to change how marginalized stories are told. Fresh off her time at ColorCreative, which she founded alongside Issa Rae to create more visibility for women and minority writers, she scribes a powerful new chapter.

This month, the “Insecure” producer announced on her Instagram that she was launching Reform Media Group “to further pursue my own producing aspirations that I’ve been working towards pretty much since the day I graduated high school.” 

In addition to various projects in the works, Deniese is currently on the board of Black Public Media, which develops, produces, funds and distributes media content about the African American and global Black experience. She is also a founding member of AFI’s Alumni Council for the Lawrence Herbert Alumni Center. During her time at AFI, Deniese was awarded the prestigious Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Scholarship.

CHERYL DUNYE

Director/ Writer/ Producer

Cheryl Dunye’s work is never over the top, but her voice is clear, and certainly always heard. “I’m more about the smaller moments. I’m not trying to say anything loud,” the filmmaker told Q Voice News. “I’m looking at the simple narratives of who we are and what unites us and more universal themes.”

Cheryl earned acclaim from the get-go, breaking onto the scene in 1996 with her first feature, “The Watermelon Woman.” She wrote, directed and starred in the movie, which made history as the first film written by a Black lesbian exploring Black lesbianism onscreen.

Since that big first, the talent has screened at top-tier film festivals, worked alongside luminaries like Oprah, and racked up an impressive array of television directing credits, including TNT’s “Claws,” Netflix’s “Dear White People,” CBS’ “All Rise” and HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.” For the latter, Cheryl has found herself nominated for a 2021 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama.

In 2019, Cheryl launched a production company called Jingletown Films to provide a platform for storytellers and filmmakers that are people of color and/or queer. “I love being a filmmaker and being able to tell the stories that need to be seen and heard,” she wrote on her Instagram. As of late, Cheryl has directed the first two episodes of OWN’s “Delilah” and is developing “The Gilda Stories” by Jewelle Gomez for the screen.

TILANE JONES

President of ARRAY

Tilane Jones not only advocates, but actively creates solutions. The producer, who’s been in Hollywood for over a decade, was named president of Ava DuVernay’s film collective ARRAY in 2019. With 29 films under its belt, ARRAY is dedicated to amplifying people of color and female-identifying artists around the world. This month, Tilane helped usher in the non-profit ARRAY CREW, a premier platform that aims to support film and TV professionals from underrepresented populations by connecting them with hiring managers.

“We really wanted to take the excuse away from those folks who say that they don’t hire diverse crews because they don’t know any,” Jones told Deadline. This is merely one of the worthwhile initiatives Tilane and her team is working on. This year, she also received the highly regarded Slamdance Founders Award for her ability to nurture filmmakers. 

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Robert Peterpaul is a writer and actor who can be seen in James Franco’s film “King Cobra,” T-Mobile ad campaigns, and Amazon Prime’s “New Dogs, Old Tricks.” Other career highlights include working on NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “America’s Got Talent,” BUILD Series, writing for HuffPost, and his family’s nonprofit, the Thomas Peterpaul Foundation, which aims to end pediatric cancer. Robert currently serves as the weekend editor for HOLA! USA and writes for publications like Backstage. He’s studied at the Barrow Group, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCB and earned a B.A. from Marist College (go, Red Foxes!). Robert thanks you for reading and hopes you’ll follow your bliss! www.robertpeterpaul.com

The post 8 Black Trailblazers Shaping the Industry Behind the Scenes first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post 8 Black Trailblazers Shaping the Industry Behind the Scenes appeared first on Casting Networks.